From Chimps to Cephalopods: The Mirror Test and Animal Self-Awareness

Scientists have been exploring the ability of animals to recognize themselves in mirrors since 1970. While humans are well-known for their self-awareness, they are not the only species capable of this trait. Researchers have tested many different species, from ants to stingrays to African gray parrots, for signs of self-awareness when looking in a mirror.

Chimpanzees were the first species studied in the 1970s and showed signs of self-awareness by recognizing their own reflection in a mirror. Other great apes like orangutans and bonobos have also passed the mirror test, as have Asian elephants and rats. Dolphins and magpies have also displayed recognition of themselves in mirrors.

However, some species, such as monkeys and African gray parrots, did not pass the test. This raises questions about the true nature of self-awareness in animals and the reliability of mirror images as a measure of it. Experiments on lower animals like ants and fish have also shown some signs of self-awareness when looking at themselves in a mirror. The results of these studies have sparked controversy and raised questions about the importance of mirror reflection in understanding animal cognition abilities.